This train is the City's first train in 30 years and the first to go directly (no train change) from the city to points north of New York City in 159 years. According to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, for March 2010, the fastest Virginia passenger growth has tracked the new train's route: Lynchburg (160%), Manassas (100%), Culpeper (90%), Charlottesville (68%), and Alexandria (38%).

In a friendly competition, Manassas rail advocates intend to take the #1 spot from Lynchburg later this year by 1) generating interest in the June 5 Manassas Rail Festival; encouraging hotels and B&Bs to tell potential visitors on their websites that Amtrak takes them straight into Downtown; encouraging day-tripping; and improving the rail station's webcam.

All cities along the train's route should encourage economic development by doing similar things. Let's see who can increase passenger growth the fastest.

Daniel PeacockManassasvrerail1@earthlink.net

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2 comments

HarryD June 20th, 2010 | 7:15am

Here is the deal. Manassasians have the choice of the AMTRAK or the Metro, or even the VRE.

It is a matter of sitting in traffic to get to the Vienna station for the Metro, or waiting the same amount of time for the mid morning AMTRAK. VRE has a Manassas Park station-

money will be the key

Yes June 20th, 2010 | 7:46am

Well, Manassas also has a VRE stop at the actual station in Old Town, as well as the stops at the airport and Manassas Park. Then again, this is a friendly competition where everyone wins.